28 April 2016

Public Forum - A
fair go for all: Addressing social and health inequities in Australia and
internationally - 12 May 2016. The Forum will focus on what works and why in
policy areas including: Indigenous affairs, urban environments, social
protection/paid parental leave and health systems. The forum will start
with a panel discussion entitled "How equitable is the Federal 2016
budget?” hosted by Paul Barclay, host of Big Ideas on ABC Radio National. This
discussion will be broadcast on the Big Ideas radio program. For more
information: http://www.anu.edu.au/events/a-fair-go-for-all-addressing-social-and-health-inequities-in-australia-and-internationally-0

UNICEF report -
'Fairness for Children' - released 14 April 2016. This Report Card presents an overview of inequalities in child well-being in 41
countries of the European Union (EU) and the Organisation for Economic
Co-operation and Development (OECD). It focuses on ‘bottom-end inequality’ –
the gap between children at the bottom and those in the middle – and addresses
the question ‘how far behind are children being allowed to fall?’ in income,
education, health and life satisfaction. Visit: https://www.unicef-irc.org/publications/830/?utm_source=m2news-newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_content=html&utm_ca.

Abstract:
This paper examines the ways in which neoliberal responses to social health
issues shape the educational discourses and practices of schools. As schools
are increasingly identified as ideal spaces for health promotion, the question
of how and why educators and public health practitioners can and should work
together continues to be debated. Using Bourdieu’s theory of reproduction, we
use this indicative example of emergency food to examine how ‘charity alone’
models reproduce and perpetuate inequitable health outcomes in neoliberal
societies. This individualistic view of health continues to work against public
health and social justice education initiatives increasingly found in schools,
curricula and wider society; creating a dissonance between rhetoric and
reality. Revolutionary critical pedagogies are explored to examine the
implications of these practices in schools, and how the framework of service
learning may offer an approach for involving primary students in empathy,
caring and social justice. We seek to extend the existing literature by
exploring ways of shifting, rather than reproducing, the current practices of
educators and public health practitioners in how children experience health
inequality and the social determinants of health.

The Social Determinants of Health Advocacy Network held its inaugural conference in Hobart last November

Visit our website to view and download some of the presentations

Visit: http://sdohtasmania.org.au

.

What are the social determinants of health?

The word social relates to society and means people.

Determinants of health are - broadly speaking - the things that affect your health - either in a positive way (they protect our health and keep us healthy) or a negative way (they make us sick).

If we put these things together - the social determinants of health are things (systems, products, factors) created, shaped and controlled by people that affect our health.

These things include education, housing, employment, transport and so forth. These are created and shaped by people. And because if this it's possible to change them.

As an example, let's look at transport. We - the people - have created our transport systems. Not necessarily you or I personally but as a society we've done this. The problem is that there are many aspects of the system that are not great - many of our streets aren't cycle or pedestrian friendly, if you live in a rural area public transport options are limited, the number of cars on our roads isn't good for the environment and so forth. All of these things about the transport system can affect our health.

But the great thing is that, because we - the people - developed this system in the first place, we have the ability to change it - to make things better and to improve health as a result.

There are other determinants of health - such as our genes - that we can't change. So let's focus on the things we can do to improve health.

More formally, here's how the literature talks about the social determinants of health:

The social determinants of health are the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work and age, including the health system. These circumstances are shaped by the distribution of money, power and resources at global, national and local levels. The social determinants of health are mostly responsible for health inequities - the unfair and avoidable differences in health status seen within and between countries.

Here's a good place to start your reading:

A great publication on the social determinants of health is The Solid Facts.

Vision of the Network

All Tasmanians have the opportunity to live a long, healthy life regardless of their income, education, employment, gender, sexuality, capabilities, cultural background, who they are or where they live.

Membership

Membership of the Network is open to all Tasmanians who share this vision.

Membership is free of charge. Membership means you become a subscriber to our enews and that you get the opportunity to work with others who are part of this Network to undertake advocacy action.

Membership to the Network can be obtained by providing a name, organisation (where there is one but individuals can join as individuals), address, telephone and email address to the Facilitator by email:

socialdeterminantsofhealthtas@gmail.com

The Network currently has more than 220 members across Tasmania (as well as some interstate) from a broad range of sectors.

“The Commission’s main finding is straightforward. The social conditions in which people are born, live, and work are the single most important determinant of good health or ill health, of a long and productive life, or a short and miserable one. ……..This ends the debate decisively. Health care is an important determinant of health. Lifestyles are important determinants of health. ….But, let me emphasize, it is factors in the social environment that determine access to health services and influence lifestyle choices in the first place”.

Dr Margaret Chan, Director General, World Health Organisation.

Tasmanian Action Sheets on the Social Determinants of Health

Visit the Tasmania Council of Social Service website to download 10 action sheets on the social determinants of health in Tasmania.